• Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash Pavel punches a cross onto his own crossbar, with the ball rebounding off him, to give China their equaliser. EPA
    Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash Pavel punches a cross onto his own crossbar, with the ball rebounding off him, to give China their equaliser. EPA
  • China's midfielder Zhang Chengdong fights for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's forward Mirlan Murzaev. AFP
    China's midfielder Zhang Chengdong fights for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's forward Mirlan Murzaev. AFP
  • Zhao Xuri heads the ball away for China. EPA
    Zhao Xuri heads the ball away for China. EPA
  • China's defender Yu Dabao his winning goal. AP Photo
    China's defender Yu Dabao his winning goal. AP Photo
  • Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash clears the ball under pressure from Wu Lei. AP Photo
    Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash clears the ball under pressure from Wu Lei. AP Photo
  • China's midfielder Zhongguo Chi and forward Xiao Zhi fight for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov. AFP
    China's midfielder Zhongguo Chi and forward Xiao Zhi fight for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov. AFP
  • Players from both sides scrap for the ball. AFP
    Players from both sides scrap for the ball. AFP
  • China's players celebrate after scoring their equaliser. AFP
    China's players celebrate after scoring their equaliser. AFP
  • Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Akhlidin Israilov, left, and China's defender Wu Xi fight for the ball. AP Photo
    Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Akhlidin Israilov, left, and China's defender Wu Xi fight for the ball. AP Photo
  • Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate taking the lead. AFP
    Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate taking the lead. AFP
  • Kyrgyzstan's Murzaev Mirlan gets a header away. EPA
    Kyrgyzstan's Murzaev Mirlan gets a header away. EPA
  • China manager Marcello Lippi on the sidelines. AP Photo
    China manager Marcello Lippi on the sidelines. AP Photo
  • Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate with their fans after scoring the first goal. EPA
    Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate with their fans after scoring the first goal. EPA
  • China's Chi Zhongguo, right, watches on as Sagynbaev Bekzhan falls over. EPA
    China's Chi Zhongguo, right, watches on as Sagynbaev Bekzhan falls over. EPA
  • Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov tussles for the ball with China's midfielder Jingdao Jin. AFP
    Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov tussles for the ball with China's midfielder Jingdao Jin. AFP
  • Yu Dabao slots the ball into an empty net for China to take the lead, EPA
    Yu Dabao slots the ball into an empty net for China to take the lead, EPA

Football

Yu Dabao the hero as China fightback to beat Kyrgyzstan at the Asian Cup

Marcello Lippi's men recover from being a goal down at half time to win Group C opener 2-1 in Al Ain

Graham Caygill

January 07, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

China came from behind to win their opening Group C game at the 2019 Asian Cup as they triumphed 2-1 against Kyrgyzstan in Al Ain.

It had been Kyrgyzstan who opened the scoring four minutes before half time as Akhlidin Israilov hooked a shot home from the edge of the area.

But China were level, in fortuitous circumstances five minutes after the restart, as Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Pavel Matiash punched a cross against his own bar and the ball rebounded off him and into the net.

A miserable afternoon for Matiash at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium was completed with 12 minutes to go as he was slow to react to a ball over the top by the Chinese, with Yu Dabao beating him to the ball and rolling his short into an empty net to give Marcello Lippi's men the three points.

China will next go up against the Philippines on Friday in Abu Dhabi at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, while Kyrgyzstan will face the tough task to bounce back against group favourites South Korea at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

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IndiaChinaAbu DhabiKyrgyzstan